Supply roll support and coupling device



March 15, 1960 J. A. BUR I'ON ETAL 2,928,619

SUPPLY ROLL SUPPORT AND COUPLING DEVICE Original Filed Oct. 10, 1955INVENTORS John A. Burton Frederick D Helversen James B. Hyde Bfi r j;attorneys SUPPLY ROLL SUPPORT AND COUPLING DEVICE Original applicationOctober 10, 1955, Serial No. 539,332. Divided and this application April15, 1957, Serial No. 653,001

2 Claims. (Cl. 24268.1)

This invention relates to coupling and supporting means for supply rollsof sheet material, and more particularly to a support plug insertableinto the core of a supply roll of paper or the like to be positioned ina dispensing cabinet. The present application is a division of copcndingparent application, Serial No. 539,332, filed October 10, 1955, for-Supporting and Coupling Means for Supply Rolls.

Summarizing the invention, it has as its objects, among others, theprovision of improved means for securing a supply roll coupling devicein the end of a core of a supply roll, and which is of simple andeconomical construction that can be readily fabricated. Other objects ofthe invention will .become apparent from a perusal of the followingdescription.

In general, the coupling device comprises a hub portion adapted to beinserted into the end of the core of a supply roll; the hub portionbeing provided with a special arrangement of barbs of special shape forengaging the core of the supply roll to prevent relative rotationbetween the core and the coupling devicev when the latter is insertedinto the core. Such arrangement of barbs also prevents withdrawal of thecoupling device, after it has once been inserted into the core.

For a more detailed description of the invention, reference is made tothe drawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through a form ofsupply roll coupler mechanism and coupling device of a desirable typedescribed and illustrated in detail in the aforementioned parentapplication, illustrating the position of the parts with the couplingdevice in one end of the supply roll;

Fig. 2 is a similar section illustrating a form of more or lessconventional means for journalling the opposite end of the supply roll;

Fig. 3 is an isometric view of the coupling device adapted to beinserted into an end of the supply roll core; a portion of the devicebeing shown broken away to disclose the construction more clearly; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of the coupling deviceillustrated in Fig. 3.

In the type of dispensing cabinet referred to in the parent application,the supply roll is adapted to be supported on arms 11 and 12 formingpart of a roll supporting frame (not shown), and pivoted for inward andoutward movement with respect to a dispensing cabinet (not shown). Asupply roll 15 of paper or the like is wound about the usual paperboardcore 21. One support arm 12 carries a pivot pin 22 upon which a hubmember 23 is journalled for free rotation; one end of a supply roll core21 being adapted to be positioned on the hub 23. To limit axial movementof the supply roll when it is placed on hub 23, the hub is formed with aflange 24. Usually in mounting the supply roll on the arms 11 and 12, itis first positioned on hub 23; the arms 11 and 12 being capable of beingspread apart for this purpose because of the flexibility thereof. Whenthe roll is mounted on the arms, they spring inwardly to efiect propersupport of the roll. I v

The opposite end of the supply roll is supported on special couplermechanism indicated generally by reference numeral 26, which isjournalled for rotation on a stud 33 on the other arm 11 of the supplyroll support. The coupler mechanism is cooperable with a couplingdevice, indicated generally by reference numeral 27, secured in suchopposite end of supply roll core 21 Cooperating means is provided oncoupler mechanism 26 and on coupling device 27 for allowing freerotation of the coupler mechanism when it carries a supply roll butwhich results in automatic latching of the coupler mechanism againstrotation relative to its support when the coupling device isdisconnected. Such cooperating means includes openings 46 in couplermechanism 26, matching projections 47, 47 and 47" on coupling device 27and latching means, all fully described in the aforementioned parentapplication.

Coupling device 27 to which this application is directed is preferablymade of molded plastic material but can be of any other material, suchas metal. Such coupling device comprises a hub portion 51 adapted to beinserted into an end of core 21 of the supply roll, and an outerintegral plate member 52 which carries actuating projections 47, 47' and47" and limits inward axial positioning of the coupling device in theroll core. For preventing relative rotation between the roll core 21 andthe coupling device when the latter is inserted into the core, and alsofor preventing withdrawal of the coupling device after it is onceinserted into the core, it is provided on its hub portion 51 with aplurality of peripherally arranged axially extending and radiallyprojecting elongated barbs 53; the barbs being positioned in axiallyspaced relationship with respect to plate 52 at the inner end of the hub51.

As can be seen from Fig. 3, each of the barbs is of triangular crosssection at any transverse section thereon and has triangular shapedsides 54 so that the barbs taper both inwardly and downwardly from atriangularly shaped end 56 thereof adjacent plate 52 and extendingtransversely to the axis of hub 51, thus' forming a relatively sharpedge 57 at the top. As a result, when hub 51 is inserted into the rollcore, the resultant pointed shape of the barbs at their inner endsenables the hub to be readily inserted axially into the core while edges57 cut into the core. However, because of the increased size of thebarbs adjacent the plate end of the hub, the hub when fully insertedinto the core cannot be withdrawn without damaging the core.

At the same time, the barbs fixedly secure the hub to the core againstrelative rotatable movement with respect thereto. In this connection, itwill be noted with reference to Fig. 1 that the outside diameter of hub51 is slightly less than the inside diameter of core 21 to facilitateinsertion but at the same time prevent retraction by virtue of thelarger outer ends 56 of the barbs. With the described construction,securing of the coupling device to the core can be quickly accomplishedby merely a straight one-step endwise insertion-of the coupling deviceinto the core without damaging the same.

The construction for securing hub 51 in the core, although described inconnection with the advantageous type of coupling mechanism claimed inthe aforementioned parent application, may be employed on the hub of anyother type of supply roll coupling mechanism for holding the same in thecore of the roll.

We claim: a

1. A molded coupling device for a supply roll of sheet materialcomprising a hub portion adapted to be inserted into the core of saidroll and having at one end thereof a piate memberadaptedTo-enage an endof said roll to limit" the inward axial positioning of the device in theroll core, a plurality of peripherally arranged axially elongatedradiallxproiecting barbs on. said. hub gorti on barbs havingasu'btantially triangularlyshaped, enlarged end adjacent tovhut spacedfrom said plate; memberJand a relatively-sharp tap edgeextendingf'romthe apex of said enlargedendi each of said top edges sloping dqwnwar dlyfrom said apex toward the opposite; end of said' 10 51151111: couplingdeirice (if claim secured idsiid care by'saidbarbs at" a positionwhereinsaid plate-mew her engages an end of said rpll and the barbsarespaced from said roll end internally of the core.

References Citedirr the file (if this patent UNITED1STATE$ PATENTS

